1. Lorne Greene: A Legendary Actor and Musician
2. Broadcasting Career
3. Television Breakthrough
4. Post-"Bonanza" Career
5. Other Endeavors
6. Personal Life
7. Legacy

Lorne Greene: A Legendary Actor and Musician

Early Life and Education

Lorne Hyman Greene, born Chaim Grinovsky on February 12, 1915, in Ottawa, Canada, was the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. His mother called him Chaim, while school records list him as Hyman. Greene's exact name change remains unknown. He became interested in acting while studying Chemical Engineering at Queen's University in Kingston.

Broadcasting Career

After graduating, Greene found work as an announcer with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). He quickly became known as "The Voice of Canada" for his newsreading on CBC National News. During World War II, he earned the nickname "The Voice of Doom" for his dramatic war reporting. Greene also narrated documentaries and was invited twice by Katharine Cornell to perform in her Broadway productions.

Television Breakthrough

Greene's television career began in 1953 with his performance as Othello in the Ford Television Theatre. He gained wider recognition in 1955 for playing Ludwig van Beethoven in "You Are There." His breakout role came in 1959 with the Western series "Bonanza," where he portrayed patriarch Ben Cartwright for 14 seasons.

Post-"Bonanza" Career

Following "Bonanza," Greene starred in the short-lived detective drama "Griff." He also hosted the documentary series "Last of the Wild" and became the spokesperson for Alpo Beef Chunks dog food. In the late 1970s, he reprised his role as a patriarchal figure as Commander Adama in "Battlestar Galactica."

Other Endeavors

Capitalizing on his "Ben Cartwright" image, Greene released several country music albums in the 1960s, scoring a few chart hits. He penned his autobiography, "Lorne Greene: A Man for All Seasons," in 1975.

Personal Life

Greene married Rita Hands in 1938 and had twins, Belinda and Charles. They divorced in 1960, and Greene remarried Nancy Deale in 1961, with whom he had a daughter, Gillian.

Legacy

Lorne Greene passed away in 1987 at the age of 72 from pneumonia complications. His long and distinguished career, spanning over 45 years and 75 film and television roles, left an enduring mark on entertainment history. He was honored with an Order of Canada, a doctorate, and a Canadian postage stamp.

Actor